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An uplifting book recommendation please

(84 Posts)
grannydarkhair Sat 18-Nov-23 15:29:11

How about the All Creatures Great and Small books by James Herriot? I re-read them during COVID, still found them very funny in parts.

HelterSkelter1 Sat 18-Nov-23 15:12:23

Margaret Attwood Burning Questions is a book you can dip in and out of.

Aldom Sat 18-Nov-23 15:04:39

The funniest book I have ever read is The Moon's A Balloon by David Niven.
You might possibly be able to source a second hand copy. smile

Judy54 Sat 18-Nov-23 14:56:51

Yes I agree a book of poetry would be great. Also perhaps short stories that can be picked up and put down and are not to heavy to read.

eazybee Sat 18-Nov-23 14:42:48

Next To Nature Ronald Blythe (Akenfield)
Reflections on a lifetime in the English countryside, each chapter set out as a month. Gentle and witty, and excellent for dipping in to.

NanKate Sat 18-Nov-23 12:27:08

Thanks for these excellent suggestions 👍

Nannarose Sat 18-Nov-23 11:52:53

I find poetry very useful when concentration is difficult.
I recommend Spell Songs, if she likes illustrations. This link is to the main shop: www.thelostwords.org/shop/ (I think Lucky Girl has a connection) but the book is available elsewhere.
Or Brian Bilston's poetry is funny and engaging.

Another suggestion (I think mentioned in another post) is a familiar book such as any of the classics that you know she likes. I love comfort re-reads.

Hope is goes well.

keepcalmandcavachon Sat 18-Nov-23 11:41:27

Bill Bryson .Notes from a Small Island is funny and charming.
Marcia Willet's books are warm hearted without being cloying and the Shardlake books by CJ Sansom are wonderfully atmospheric if your friend likes Tudor history ( so much from that era on TV so we can easily 'picture' it)
Hope everything goes well for your friend.

NanKate Sat 18-Nov-23 11:31:41

My oldest friend of over 61 years phoned me today to say she is going into hospital for a breast cancer op. 🙁

I don’t live near her but want to send a book or something to pass the time when she is recovering.

She is a pragmatic sort of person and just gets on with life. So I want to send her a gift which is not flowery or sentimental in any way.

I think a non-fiction book would be good, possibly with humour. Do you have any suggestions please ?